Living, as I do, close to the Yakima Training Center(YTC), I sometimes hear things. Less often, I see things. In the past, I have seen F-15s and A-10s on rare occasions. I never had the ability to record those sightings. Now, I have a much better camera.
A few days ago I heard the rising and falling thunder that indicated an aircraft or two above the YTC. I stepped out a few times, but could never see anything. A few minutes later, one of my friends who lives closer to the center called me and said that an F-15 was winging its way toward me. I stepped out just in time to get a few photos.
Today, I was in the back yard and heard a jet. I looked up in time to see an F-15 coming from the East. I waited. Finally I heard it again and was satisfied that it was circling over the YTC. I just in the truck and headed in that direction. I found my favorite mountaintop viewpoint and waited. I did not have to wait long. I heard him before I saw him, but when I did he was coming out of the sun and making some sort of run. I did not see any ordnance dropped, nor did I see any gun runs. I assume it was a familiarization run or perhaps an electronic training run. Though, by no means am I an expert on modern day practices.
I know that F-15s are based at Portland International Airport, but this one seemed to come from the East. I seem to recall reading somewhere that there are some at Mountain Home AFB, too. I hope one of my readers will confirm or deny this. until that time, please enjoy these photos and accept my apologies for not posting more this summer.
Here is what the area looks like. High and dry.
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